Child Custody Lawyer in Galesburg IL

Looking Out For You and Your Loved Ones In Child Custody Cases | Galesburg IL

Statham & Long is a child custody lawyer in Galesburg IL. We're committed to defending the best interests of you and your loved ones. Our years of experience and our commitment to putting you and your rights first means that you’ll be getting the best care in the Galesburg area. Click the button below to schedule a meeting with us.

How Can a Child Custody Lawyer Help Me

Child custody cases can be tricky, and it’s best to have an experienced lawyer to walk you through the different nuances of a custody case. Our team will put your rights and personal interests first.

A lawyer can help you locate your ex if need be, as well as properly and legally serve your ex with notice that you want a child support order. Your lawyer can also help document any income that your ex receives. A lawyer can also help you determine what financial information you need in order to properly calculate a child support payment.

When determining the home in which to place the child, the court strives to reach a decision in "the best interests of the child." A decision in "the best interests of the child" requires considering the wishes of the child's parents, the wishes of the child, and the child's relationship with each of the parents, siblings, the child's comfort in his home, school, and community, and the mental and physical health of the involved individuals.

In considering the child’s developmental needs, the judge will take into account:

a child’s age

the mental and physical well-being (or lack of it) of each parent

each parent’s caretaking capacities and the home environment that each parent could provide to the child

the role of each parent thus far in taking care of the child

the child’s relationship to each parent

the time available to each parent to be with the child, as the judge may wish to maximize the child’s time with a parent as opposed to a babysitter or daycare center

the environment that the parent can create for the child

the presence of siblings in the family and the siblings’ relationship to each parent and to each other

prior bad acts of either parent (as, for instance, abuse and neglect)

parental drug or alcohol problems

religious factors

the willingness of each parent to keep the other parent involved in the child’s life and to facilitate the other parent’s access to the child

How Much Do Child Custody Lawyers Cost?

Child custody cases can be a trying experience, but our goal is to take as much of the strain off your shoulders as we can. As such, profit is not our first concern; our first concern is making the process as easy for you as we can as we fight for your rights.

Our pricing varies based on our level of involvement and the complexity of the case. Because of this, we are able to offer pricing that takes your situation into account. Our goal is to be forthright and honest with you in this stage of the process.

Child Custody Mediation

Couples have options that don’t necessarily involve the courtroom. Many divorcing couples use mediation to help settle their divorce-related issues, such as support, property division, and child custody.

In divorce mediation, spouses hire a neutral third party (the mediator) to help them discuss and resolve their disagreements. Most divorce mediators are experienced family law attorneys, who have completed specialized mediation training. Unlike a judge or an arbitrator, a mediator doesn't make decisions, but rather helps couples reach their own agreements. The process generally goes as follows:

meet with the mediator

identify and categorize the contested issues

discuss solutions with a give-and-take attitude, and

reach, draft, and sign a custody agreement

Questions For Your Custody Mediation Lawyer

Can you give me legal advice throughout the mediation process? Will you attend the mediation sessions?

What happens if we can't agree on anything during mediation?

How hard is it to make custody changes after we reach an agreement?

Should I be firm about getting what I feel is important in the initial custody arrangement?

Which family law mediators would you recommend for my case?

Factors That Determine Child Custody

Legal custody refers to the ability to make decisions on behalf of your child, whereas physical custody refers to where the child lives. There are certain technicalities that are in play when it comes to determining child custody, including

Technically, a parent can have legal custody without having physical custody.